Does any discussion about football during the month of January not include some element related to transfers?

There were fans of different clubs posting on social media during the festive period that Christmas was exciting, but the opening of the January transfer window was even more exciting.

Multiple hours of live television are dedicated to the ‘will they/won’t he’ of rumours and stories throughout the month.

Players will be spotted arriving at airports, leaving hotels near football grounds, even sipping coffee at random service stations.

So sat with someone who has spent a career involved in transfers and worked through numerous windows, the question ‘are you expecting a busy January’ was one that almost came up as part of the small talk.

Watford’s sporting director Gian Luca Nani feigned a little mock surprise when I asked him, before giving a knowing smile indicating that he had fully expected the question.

“January is always busy, even if you are not planning to do much,” he said, before pointing to his laptop and adding: “I receive hundreds of offers of players each day from agents.

“Each one of those we will add to our records, create a profile, perhaps send a scout.

“January is a busy time regardless, because as well as being offered players you may have some players who want to leave.

“But right now, I don’t expect a busy January in terms of transfers. I don’t expect too much.

“However, we have to be ready for whatever happens.

“I’m not expecting to bring in and send out 10, 11, 12 players. No, I am not expecting that sort of busy at all.

“I am ready for anything but when you say will it be a busy January, I have to say I don’t think so.”

Having rejoined Watford in early December, Nani has had to quickly pick up the work that had been done by his predecessor Cristiano Giaretta.

“Cristiano was fantastic when he left,” said Nani.

“He left all the plans, all the organisation and all the details about new contracts, potential targets – everything was very detailed and well explained.

“I was able to just step in, which was very good.

“Of course the transfer market is very dynamic, especially now, and things can change at any time.

“You can have a plan, get an injury, and then have to rethink the plans.

“Because of the way football is, you always need to have plans but with the ability to change direction if you have to.

“I know that the media and the fans become particularly interested in the transfer market every August and January, but for us it something we work on every day of every month.”

Nani said that his work did not purely focus on players and/or positions the club may have ambitions to recruit.

“We try to have ideas of players in every position, and to suit every system. The coach could need a player or change the way of playing at any time.

“We have to be ready for any eventuality and as a Sporting Director it is my job to be prepared.

“I will have players in mind for every position and to suit any system, even if the manager has not asked me to. It is better to be prepared.

“Even if we don’t currently play with wing-backs, it is my job to know the best wing-backs that are available to us.

“I need to know who is the best option for us for a second striker, even if we don’t currently use a second striker.

“Valerien could decide tomorrow to change system, and so I have to be ready and be able to provide solutions.

“Of course, I am driven by what Valerien indicates and the profile of player he wants. If he says he wants a player in a position, there is no point me bringing smaller players when I know he likes a bigger player in that position.

“I have stepped in at Watford quite late but I am always watching football, I am always travelling, I maintain my own personal database of every game I see just to grow my own knowledge.

“This job is my passion. I love it. Of course they pay me – I don’t want to say I would do it for free or Gino will come to me for a discussion about salary!

“But I love what I do and it is a job that I am totally passionate about.”

Having brought up the name of Watford’s head coach, it was a good time to ask Nani how he found working with Valerien Ismael.

“He is a top man. Really top,” said Nani.

“He is a top coach and I love the way he has Watford playing.

“My first game back working for Watford was the 5-1 win at Preston, so everybody said to me ‘welcome back Gian Luca’!

“Then we won 2-1 at Blackburn, and again everyone said ‘welcome back’!

“But seriously I really have enjoyed watching Watford play this season. What I like is the spirit of the team.

“I have talked to the players and I have talked to the coach, and I say to them that the way they play is exciting football.

“Of course, I went to Plymouth and that day they nearly gave me a heart attack!

“But on that day, on top of the way that we played and the fact that we try always to play good football, I really enjoyed the team spirit. I loved it that day.

“You can see that the players are happy to help each other, and they will do anything for their teammates.

“You see how they talk to each other on and off the pitch, and you know that we have a great group of people.

“Obviously you have a game like Bristol City which happens in football, but still I see a group who want to help each other, they want to fight for the club, and they never give up.

“They are close to each other and help each other. I see that with the two goalkeepers for instance.

“And that spirit, that character in the group, that determination – it comes from the manager.

“When I see Valerien I see a top, top man, and a top, top coach. He has a long contract which gives him confidence, but it also means everyone is aware that he is doing a good job.”

Nani readily admitted that his passion and desire to win can make matchdays wretched for him.

“I always say that working in football is a great job without the matches!

“If we didn’t have to have a game every Saturday it would be fantastic.

“I’m Italian, I’m passionate and I really participate at games. I cannot help it.”

The Italian also revealed that it’s worth a glance towards the directors’ box from any travelling Hornets fans at the next away game if Watford score.

“When I am a visitor at an away game in the directors box, I know I should try to keep to the protocols. But I can’t!

“When we score or win, sometimes I jump up out of my seat. At Blackburn, when we scored the winner, I jumped up in the air out of my seat, and one of my colleagues had to pull me back down.

“So now, I end up destroying the arm of the colleague who is sitting next to me as I just grab it when we score a goal.

“I do try to be respectful but of course if we score, it is difficult for me not to celebrate like any other fan.”